Safe Operational Plans for dive vessels

Learn about Safe Operational Plans (SOP) for diving vessels and how you can get one.

Commercial vessels of six metres or less in length that are engaged solely in excursions, which do not proceed beyond enclosed waters (or more than five miles from a safe haven on the coast of New Zealand), are required to have a Safe Operational Plan (SOP) under Maritime Rule Part 40A.

A vessel required to operate under a Safe Operational Plan cannot then be under a Maritime Transport Operator Plan.